






REimSCENCES 




OL. JOHN KETCHAM, 



MO^nOF. COtiNTY, I.\niANA,. 



IS rASfoi... 



RF.V. T. M. 110PTCTlvri= 



BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA. 



r<ni^l 



B L M I N G T N 

•niTAKFK k WALKEK, I'RINtEI 

1 S 'i li . 




REMINISCENCES 



01" 



COL. JOHN KETCHAM, 



CJt 



lOJJEOE COUNTY, liNDIANA, 



CT niS PASTOK, 



HEV. T? M. HOPIC-INS, 



OF 



BLOOMING-TON. INDIANA. 



BLOOMINGTONi: 

WHITAKEE & "WALKEK, nilNTEES. 

18CG. 



COL. JOHN KETCHAM. 



" One generation passeth away and another generation cometh, 
and it is a duty which each succeeding generation owes to its 
predecesssors, to itself, and to posterity, to preserve all valuahlo 
reminiscences." It is to fulfill this obligation that the following 
facts are published. 

In the winter of 1865, when horrid war was raging throughout 
our land, the inhabitants of Monroe county, Indiana, were called 
most unexpectedly to pay their last tribute of respect to an old 
and honored patriot, who one half century ago participated ia 
Bimiiar strifes, and was familiar with garraents rolled in blood. 
To him the Son of Man came in an hour when He was not ex- 
pected. For a tew day's before his death he had not been blessed 
with his usual good health and cheerfulness, but hia condition 
excited no apprehensions whatever. 

Arising from his seat with his usual, elastic step he passed out 
of the house never more to return. His lifeless body was found 
in a short time afterwards by his wife and daughter-in-law, — waa 
brought into the house to be monrned over by a numerous band 
of relatives and friends, and to be prepared for its last resting 
place upon earth. 

At the funeral, whicli occurred two days after, [February 9th,] 
the following was the substance of remark : 

" God speaks to us not only in His Word, but also in His Prov- 
Idence. Events ordinary and extraordinary, have a significance, 
and it is our duty as rational and accountable beings, to discover 
as correctly as possible the precise meaning of any important 
event witnessed. Without this it is impossible to obtain that 
knowledge of the signs of the times, for the want of which our 
Lord upbraided the generation with whom He lived. The book 
of Providence, it is conceded, is more difficult of interpretation 
than the book of revelation ; but the lessons it imparts are 
equally important and impressive. 

*'No occurrence is so suggestive of serious and solemn reflectiona 
as the death of our fellow men. When God takes from us one 
of those spirits with whom we have often sympathized, and by 
whom wo have been influenced. He is saying, in accenta 



wbicli cannot bo misunderstood, stop and think. This ia true, 
■wiiethcr the death be that of one who occupies ati extended or 
contracted sphere of influence, — whether ho be learned or un- 
learned— old or yonnj^. Much more, then, is it true when wo 
Furround the remains of one whoso life is iiistoric, and \yho?o 
liidtDry cannot be iriven without a notice of important events 
occurrinp; in the history of his neighborhood, his county, his 
State, and his Governincnt. 

*' We c-tand to day on that line which separates the most of us 
from that generation ot hardy and nohle men wiiich first inhal.ited 
this land. A f.w of them still remain, and we can clasp their 
hands and look into their eyes, but so few as to lead us to ask, 
" Tiie Fathers, where arc they'^' 

" We are carried hack to day to 1782, the 10th day of whoso 
September jruvo to the world John Ketcham, whose remains Ho 
before us. Tliis was before the adoption of the Constitution 
of the United States — that instrument havin* been adopted 
on the 17th day of September, 1787. Born of revolutionary 
parent?, and drinkinjj; in the epirit of the lathers, he was 
launched on the ocean of life to act well his parr, and to leave a 
noble inheritance to bis children, and chiidrea's children after 
him. 

*' In 1802 ho was married to Elizabeth Pearcy, who survives 
him to mourn his sudden departure. To them were given 
twelve children — six being born in the State of Kentucky, and six 
in the Territory and State of Indiana, — 1"> them wee also g-iven 
lortyeix grandchildren, and fifceec great grandchildrea^making 
a family of seventy five persons. 

" In the eventful year of 1811, Mr. Ketchara moved witb hia 
family to Jackson county, Indiana Territory. 'I'hat iieing tho 
year in which the General Government instituted measures for 
expelling the savages from the Territory, they having becomo 
dangerous to the whites. Finding it impossible to maintain his 
family in srifuty, ho returned to Kentucky. liut not being coi- 
tent to remain tiiere long, he returned to Jackson c 'Unty, t-o 
participate in tho dilli nilt and dangerous task of retnoviuir or 
piibdning the hostile Iniians who obstructed the pri>gress of civ- 
ilizition. Shfu-tly after his return, he and one of his aeig!ib)r^ 
were pursued by some sivages, his companion was slujt and 
instantly killed, while he bir^ly escaped by means of the swil't- 
ness of his liorse, after havini; rec» ived a severe wound in tho 
shoulder. After recoveri(ig from his wound, he enlisted for two 
years in ihe ranging service, under command of Gov, Harrison, 
;!nd obtained a reputation as a successful scout, for which lie was 
Bubsequently honored with the Colonelcy ot a regiment of Stato 
militia. 

" After tho settlement oflndian difRcnltiee, and tho introduction 
of the Territory ot Indiana into the Federal Union as a Stato, 



Mr. Ketcham, in the spring of 1S18, removed with hia family to 
the tlien coniity of Orange, in which the present county ot Mon'. 
roe was embrace^; settliiiij in the region occii|iied by the villnjyo 
of Ellcrtfiville. In the fail of that year he rt^nipvod to the |»la(;o 
wiiere iie has resided ever since, and where his body is fo be laid. 
" Coming to the coiinty wlien it was pjiarceiy inhabited, and 
wlien the people wore frequently ledncod to great straite, ho 
liad repeated opportunities for inanite8fing that liuble generosity 
for which he has always been distif.guished. Many iustances of 
his liberality are stdl iresh in the tneiiioiy of the "old settlers.'* 
It 18 the testinio y ot a iientleinm who had tor many 6iicc3d.<ive 
years assisted hiiti in sbiugbt'ering his bogs, that not a year 
passed in which bo did not set apart a liberal portion ot the pork 
f )r some of his poor neighbors, lie was exceedingly kind in 
lending money to the early settlers who wished to enter lind. 
On one occasion, late in the evenins;, a yonng man arrived at his 
liou:^e ; his horse was cared for and he invited to enjoy the hos- 
j.italitiea of the fimily. To Mr. Kelcham he was an entire 
Btranoer, bnt having bean greatly embarrassed for the watit of 
mems to enter the land npon which he had settled, and having 
heard of Mr. Ketcham's liberality, he had come to ask tcr some 
money. Afcer being seated by the fireside of a stranger, ho felt 
that his situation was very peculiar; and when he came to reveal 
the object ot his visit, his heart faded him. But being greatly 
pressed f »r means, and feeling that he could lose notliing in 
making his request, he atlengtn summoned courage enou«b to 
reveal his wishes. To him Mr. Ketcham made no reply, but 
soon showed him to bed, where be lay without sleep, feeling 
that if he could get out of the house he would hasten home. At 
lefigth morinng came, when he was cilled to breakfast-, after 
which the motiey was ijiven to iiim. and he was sent on bis way 
to iho land otricj. Tiiat man is now an extensive land holder in 
Monroe county, and says : "I owe all I am worth to J"liii 
K'-tchani " Diirinor a sea-son of great scarcity of corn, two far- 
mers otdy had corn —Mr. Ketcham was one ot them. When a 
man came to him with money to buy corn, be sent him to the 
npiglibof who sold ; but when a man catne without monev, Mf. 
Ketcham f:;ave him corn and sent him on bis way rejoicing. 
Living on a public highway at an earjy period, when hofels and 
inns virere sc-nce, and when there were no railroads, atni tnurli 
traveling on horseback and in wagons, it was his ututorm habit; 
never to refuse accomtnodation to travelers, and never to receivo 
any remunerathm tor his trouble. All this was duuo without 
jiarado or osteniation. 

'' As a husband be was affectionate ; as a father, indulgent and 
kind ; as a neiijjhbor, generous •, and as a citizen, loyal and true. 
Having, in addition to these qualities a sound judgment and a 
clear nnderatanding, it ia to bo supposed that ho would be hon- 



6 

■ored ^ith positions of trust and responsibility. For a nnmbor of 
yeara ho was Associate Judge in this county, and was the peo- 
ple's Representative during two or three terms of the Legisla* 
turo. 

Do you ask, whence this nobility of soul, and these desirable 
traits of character? Say not they are the endowments of nature. 
Had it not been for more than nature bestows, Mr. Ketcham 
might have died a miser. Go back to the State of Maryland, 
and to that pious mother who was a member of the Methodist 
■church. Or tjo back to that pious school teacher in Kentucky, 
who opened hifl school with prayer, and whose prayers so im- 
pressed youno; Ketcham's mind as to lead him to seek a quiet 
retreat, where he poured out his soul to God, and where he sup- 
posed he experienced a change of heart, and you have the secret 
of his whole life. For then he became influenced by that religion 
which is "pure and uiidefiled before God and the Father, and 
which is this, to visit the fitherless and widows in thei" affliction, 
and to keep himself unspotted from the world." Mr, Ketcham'a 
religion was a kind that consisted in deeds rather than words. 
Hence, tor many years since he has been unable to engage ia 
the active duties of life, it iias been his custom to spend much 
time in the study of the Bible. Being intirm for many yeara 
with age, and living a number of miles distant from the church 
with which he was connected, it was impossible for him to attend 
regularly on the public means of grace, but ho continued until 
Lis denth to express his interest in such important matters by 
makiiiff vigorous efforts to be at the house of God on fair days, 
and especially on cotnmnnion Sabbaths; and by assembling his 
fimily on Sabbath evenings, and having his son read a sermon, 
selecting not only from the older class of authors, but also from 
•those of modern days — frequently from Mr. Spurgeon's works, 
and nccacicnaliy trom those of Henry Ward Beecher ; and by 
having the whole family sing their familiar hymns, often select- 
ing those which were liis favorites. 

"A great lesson taught by his life is, that religious duties and 
extended liberality do not militate against material prosperity. 
"With his unbounded liberality, Mr. Ketcham was not straitened 
for means, but leaves a large and valuable estate. "There is that 
Bcattereth and yet increaseth ; there is that withholdeth ninro 
than is meet, audit tendeth to poverty." "Godliness is proHta- 
ble, having the promise of the life that now is. and of that which 
is to come." l^othing elae can promise so m.uch ; and no prom- 
ise can be better secured than that made by Jehovah, having 
been confirmed with the oath of that God who cannot lie, and 
sealed by the blood ot his Son. If we desire, then, to enjoy like 
material prosperity and spiritual joy with our departi d fiend, 
let us imitate his example, in secret, earnest prayer, atd in do- 
voting our life to the promotion of benevolent objects. His ex- 



't 

ample should be especially instructive and inr.presstvo to bis nn^ 
merons descendants, many ot whom are present to day. 

" There is in this death a loud call to all the friends ot mankind,, 
to renew their diligence in attending to all the duties ot* life. 
The world moves with increased velocity, and the responsibilities 
that come upon each successive generation multiply; the obliga- 
tions resting upon us consequently are numerous and weighty. 
"When Mr. Ketcham came to this county it was inhabited by but 
a tew families — now it has a population of more than eleven 
thousand, lloada have been made, school houses and churches 
erected, a University established, a railroad built, and telegraphic 
communication had with the rest of the world. A people en- 
joying euch advantages, cannot be idle or lethargic, and be true 
to the important interests put into their hands. And as the 
fathers are taken away, a heavier weight falls upon the eons. 
The human family is still a suffering family. "The poor ye havo 
always," and their wants must be supplied by those who have 
means. Interests, vital to our individual and national prosperity, 
and those which bear upon our eternal good demand our most 
earnest attention. Mr. Ketcham was a good peace-maker — was 
absent from home a few nights since on that business; it would 
be well for the world if the mantle of Elijah should in this 
respect fall upon many Elishas. 

" To his afflicted family we know not what further to say. Wo 
know not of any life which has risen so beautifully to its culmi- 
nation. He has lived with the wife whom he mariied in his 
youth. They have lost but three out of the twelve children 
given them. He has come to his grave like a shock of corn fully 
ripe. His wife survives, but soon must follow. We commend 
her to God, and to the word of His Grace, for he is able to keep 
her, and present her spotless before His Throne." 

In 1784, Daniel Ketcham, the faher of John, emigrated, with 
his family, from Washington county, Maryland, to the Territory 
of Kentucky. They landed at Lousville in May of that year, 
findicg the city to be composed of one house, and that a "block 
house." They moved East about forty five miles, and settled in 
a region which afterwards constituted Shelby County, and pur- 
chased land about six miles from Boone's Station. 

Three men were killed on his farm by the Indians, and he, on 
two occasions, was compelled to seek protection in Boone's Sta- 
tion. Ultimately, in 1792, he was captured by some Tawa In- 
dians, who kept him in their hands for many months, during 
■which time he passed through some experiences, of too much 
thrilling interest to be lost. He was pursued by the ludians, 
who shot his horse from under him. He ran forty or fifty yards 
and was overtaken by one of the party with tomahawk in hand. 
He immediately surrendered, giving his hand to his captor, wh**- 



iook his overcoat from Iiim end fied It around his own body, 
and led him to the company ot the pursuers. The company was 
comi)osed of fleven Indian?, who tt)ok up their line of march for 
the is^orth. They separated into three band?, — tho middle band 
havincr charge of tho captive. As they advanced the center nnd 
flinkino: companies would frequently whoop to prevent too wide 
a Fep'aration. When thoy ^i)t beyond siipportinor or heari g 
dititunco, they would incline together until the well known whoop 
could bo cloMily distinguished. It would be natural tor a man 
Bituated as Ketcham was, to meditate seriously makiiifr as speedy 
an escape as possible. To prej^are the way tor his return, in caeo 
c:cnpe could be m ide, he broke off the twio;8 and boughs of 
bushes and frees, as marks to direct tho course ot his returninof 
footsteps. IJis sufl't^rings soon became extreme. JJcintr unac- 
customed to exposure, and deprived of part of his clothin^r, he 
became so severely affected by the rheutcatism that ho could 
proceed only with the greatest difficulty. To hasten his steps 
the Indians would pnnc!i him with their guns until he would fall 
to the ground, then tliey would whip him with their gun sticks 
to make him spring to his feet. At last, in desperation and 
despair lie told them tu tomahawk him, which they seemed wil- 
ling to do, and one of them seized his hand and raised a toma- 
hawk. They then stopped to consult and at length told him to 
get up. and tor some time after aided him to travel. At first 
they feigned not to understand the English language, until one 
of them dropped his gun stick, to which Ketcham called his at- 
tention, when he replied with distinct articulaticn, ''You pretend 
to be very good." 

They crossed the Ohio river at Madison, Indiana, where they 
had spent tho winter and had colbcted many skins and furs, 
which they carried with them. After having been convinced that 
their unfortunate captive was not dissembling or feigning sick- 
Dess, they were disposed to be very merciful, and did not compel 
him to carry any of their burdens. But a change soon took 
place in the state ot his health, and the cold water system 
obtained a convert — an earnest, life long advocate. Having been 
compelled to wade many streams, and to have much to do with 
cold water, Ketcham soon recovered from his rhieumatic difficulty. 
This fact it was greatly to his interest most faithfully to conceal, 
which ho succeeded in doing for a time. At length, on ooo 
nnfortunate day, when crossing a creek on a log, lie forgot to 
lirao. This being observed by tho Indians, they burst into a 
most hearty laugh, and from that time to the end of their jour- 
ney, 1 aded him down like a mule. As they passed along, tho 
tfdiousness of their journey was somewhat relieved, by an ex- 
citing be'ar hunt, which was observed with great interest by 
Ketcham. Seeing a tree which had signs ot a bear's nest about 
it, and fiudiugr it too largo for a man to climb, an lodiau cut a 



9 

^ole ^ith a hook at one end and hooked it over one of the lower 
limbs of the tt-ee and climbed up the pole. When he got to the 
limb he raised up the pole and hooked it on one above, thna 
(continuing until he had ascended the desired height, when he 
began to poiind so energetically upon the tree as to bring out old 
feruin to meet his last end, from the unerring shots of the men, 
who had beeO stationed in a circle around the tree on the ground 
below. They then cut a hole in the tree, and finding two 
nice cubs determined to have a feast. They put fire under their 
kettle, filled with water, threw the two cubs into it, feathers and 
all, without even ablution, and made their choicest dish of soup ; 
and this delicate mess was all the food they appropriated as the 
i-esolt df their exploit. The flesh of the bear, which to the un^ 
initiated white man was so much more desirable, was left to be 
consumed by the wild beasts. 

They camped for a number of weeks on one of the Miami 
rivers, but the location is not now known. As they drew near 
to their village, supposed to be not far from Detroit, they raised 
the \^ar whoop, when all the inhabitants came out to meet them. 
One of the villagers, an old Indian man, fastened his eyes upon 
the unfortunate captive and advanced towards him, offering him 
his left hand with a very gracious smile, while with the right 
band he gave Ketcham a I3I0W by the side of the head severe 
enough to bring him to the ground. As soon as Ketcham re- 
covered from the shock, a similar salutation wae given him, in 
the same facetious manner, except that the blow was more vio- 
lent. This was the first iniatory step to his new order, the first 
part of his introduction to his new home. A French trader 
stepped up and icforaed him that he might be thankful if he 
fatted no worse, and the second step in his initiation soon showed 
that such was the truth. On a favorable day the whole commu- 
nity assembled, and poor Eetcham soon found that he was to be 
the hero of the occasion. They took him, blacked him, and gave 
him a looking glass that he might take the last view of himself, 
fastened him to a stake and prepared to burn him. Just at this 
Juncture a daughter of the Chief, dressed in the most costly at- 
tire, and decorated with at least five hundred silver brooches, 
made her appearance and delivered a speech, of about thirty 
minutes in length, with an exceedingly rapid rate of utterance. 
At the close of her speech she advanced to Ketcham, (Pocahon- 
tas like,) and released him, not one daring to gainsay or resist. 
Two women, Honwonikua and Quinmakoons, then took him to 
the river to wash the black off him and the white blood out of 
him, that they might adopt him in their family, as a respectable 
Indian. After having completed that ceremony to their satis- 
faction they took him to their tent, and introduced him to his 
"mama,'* who in the kindness of her heart offered him her hand, 
but who was so drunk as to tumble immediately off the seat 



10 

^hero she was sittiog. The duties assigned him wer©, to carry 
Ivood for as many of the villagers as he conld and to ponnd their 
corn, of the soup ot which he was permitted to eat, but was al- 
ways compelled to take the first and thinnest of it. 

Soon becoming convinced that he could not long survive such 
treatment, he resolved that if he did perish, to do eo in attempt- 
ing to escape. Having concealed a handful of corn and a email 
piece of a squash, he departed from the village in the night, but 
was hotly pursued the next day, and for many days after, and 
had it not been for the assistance of the French settlers, he would 
Certainly have perished at the hand of his pursuers. On one 
occasion, after having traveled all night in a famishing condition, 
he, at the dawn of day, approached a log cabin with the hope of 
obtaining food and protection. As he opened the door of the 
cabin he saw the floor covered with sleeping Indians — his own 
relentless pursuers. Fortunately none were awakened by this 
occurrence but the Frenchman owning the house, who immedi- 
ately signed to Ketcham not to come in, and came out and offer- 
ed his assistance. They departed a short distance, when the 
guide said he wonld return and get some food for their journey. 
Foor Ketcham new supposed his end had come. Having no 
strength to run, and not knowing which way to turn his steps, 
and supposing that the Frenchman had returned to betray him 
into the hands of the Indians, he sat down to die. But greatly 
to his surprise and relief, the man soon came again with some 
food and stimulants, conducted him to a river near by, put him 
into a canoe and paddled for life. It is supposed that this was 
the Detroit River, and that Ketcham was landed in Canada, 
where he was cared for by the French. Ultimately he came to 
Detroit where he hired himself to a French priest, who paid hioi 
with an old beaver hat, a secondhand scarlet vest, and two dol- 
lars in money. With this liberal (?) supply he succeeded in getting 
to his native place in Washington county, Maryland. Tarrying 
there until rested, he came to his family in Kentucky. 

As an instance of strong faith, it may be recorded that his 
pious wife never once despaired of his return. When her hus- 
band was captured she insisted that the neighbors should not 
pursue, lest the Indians might tomahawk him and escape, hot 
she believed God in his providence would bring him back. And 
when the neighbors that had no barns in which to store their 
grain, and who had depended on Ketcham, who was a famous 
stacker, to stack their wheat, began, as harvest drew near, to ask 
what they should do, she would always reply, "never mind, my 
stacker will be here;" and sure enough, that year as formerly, 
Daniel Ketcham stacked the wheat of the neighborhood. 

With such a parentage, we can understand why John Ketcham 
Wotild be so energetic and resolute as the following history o$ 



11 

his own difficulties with the Indian?, written by himself, shows 
Lira to have been. This sketch was written late in his life, but 
contains, no doubt, as accurate statements as if in had been com- 
posed immediately after the occurrence of the events noticed. 
It is given in his own language and characteristic style. 

"I propose to give a short history ot our Indian troubles of 
1812 — 1813, in that part of the Indiana Territory, commonly 
called the 'Forks,' situated between Muscackituck and the Drift- 
wood fork of White River, called by the Indians Hangonahak- 
qua sepoo. In April, 1811, we settled ou Section 14, Township 
5 N., liange 4 East. Said section was made fractional by the 
Indian Boundary line cutting off the N. W. corner. The In- 
dians were numerons and friendly in that part of the Territory 
until after the Tippecanoe battle, which took place on the 7th of 
November, 1811. The Delaware tiibe expressed disapprobation 
of the battle and many Indians left our part of the Territory 
then, but not all. We enjoyed peace, but not without fear, until 
April 7th, 1812; about two and a half miles above our locatioa 
there lived three families together, — Hinton, Cox, and Roddick. 
Their horses grazed in what was called the Cherry Bottom, live 
or six miles above. Hinton started in the morning to get a horse 
for some purpose, but not returning that day, his friends went 
in search of him, and ascertained that their horses were all stolen, 
and that Hinton was murdered or taken prisoner. The circum- 
Btance being made known to our neighborhood, we all went in 
search of the missing man. When we arrived at the Cherry 
Bottom, two men were sent to examine the river shore, the bal- 
ance were so divided as to sweep the bottom at one through. 
He was found shot through the head, stripped and thrown into 
the river. We laid him on a blanket, tied the corners over a 
pole and started for home. Night overtaking us we cut forka 
and raised the corpse out of the reach of wolves. A proposition 
was then made to John Ketcham knd Noah Wright, that if 
Ketcham would write a letter, and Wright take it to the Gover- 
nor, then at Charlestown, they should be exempt fronj helping 
to bring in and bury the dead, — agreed to. 

"Next morning (Sunday) about ten o'clock myself and family 
were shut up in tbe house. I was lying on a pallet before the 
lire,' when suddenly, without speaking, three Indians, each hav- 
ing a gun, pushed open the door and came in. I requested them 
to take seats ; they placed their guns in the corner of the house 
and took seats. I took occasion to examine their guns, found them 
primed and loaded. It was not common when the Indians called 
on the Whites to have any guns with them. Sometimes they 
bad one, but that not loaded. They could speak pretty good 
English. I asken them, 'what news?' They answered 'none.' 
I told them of the murder of Hinton and horses stolen. They 
thenobserved that three days past, seven Winnebago Indians 



passed their camp, goina; towards Cherry Bottom. I then Jet 
them know that we had sent a man to tell the Governor what 
was done, and in a little time he would send men to hnnt up 
the bad Indians, &c. I asked them if they would go with 
me to the burying, — they consented. My wife objected to my 
going with them and wept. The oldest sympathized with her 
and shed tears too. We started, I leading the way. We had 
proceeded near a mile, — they stopped, said 'we no go, make 
white man heap mad,' so we returned, but found nobody at the 
house. My wife and children had secreted themselves in the 
bushes, supposing they would kill me, and return and kill them, 
and plunder the house. The conduct of the three Indians was 
very suspicious. They had brought skins to trade with me, but 
left them hid some distance from the house, saying nothing 
about them until after our return. Just as we returned, Mc- 
Coiough, who had a squaw to wife, and another white man, hap- 
pened to come there. Mc. told them if they didn't leave imme- 
diately, 'every devil of them should be killed.' They returned 
to their camp, and left in great haste, leaving some of their 
valuables. They were the last camp of Indians tha,i left ouy 
frontier that season, 

" In about ten days after, the Indian Agent, residing? at th® 
Delaware town, sent two Indians, Salt Peter and Peter Yanvac- 
ter, with a letter and a white flag, stating that it was not the- 
Delawares who had done the mischief, but the Kickapoos, wha 
had passed through their town with the stolen horses. The two 
messengers remained with the Whites many weeks. Peter 
Yanvacter hired to work and never returned, — was murdered in 
Kentucky by some unprincipled white man because he was an 
Indian. A man was killed near widow Solida's, a few milea 
from Muscackatuck — his name not now recollected. Another 
man was killed on White River at McOowen's Ferry. 

"At the commencement of our Indian troubles, there were 
upwards of seventy families living in the Forks, but in a few 
weeks after Hinton's murder, upwards of fifty families left the 
country, and some for safety crossed the Ohio river. The bal- 
ance, fifteen or eighteen families, determined not to leave, and 
built block-houses and forts. John Sage and others built a fort 
at his place, but the principal fort was at Yalonia, Huff's fort, 
higher up, and Ketcham's fort, still above and outside. We all 
lived in forts, went in companies to work our little improvements, 
some stood sentinel, while others worked, and thus we got along 
for a while. The good people of Harrison and Clark counties, 
considering the small number left in the Forks, and they shut up 
in forts, could not hold out long. The most good they seemed 
to do was to be a kind of Indian bait, for the safely of the 
interior counties, who probably taking that view of the subject, 
reinforced us, by sending company after company to help ua 



13 

maintain our stand. The Indians began to understand by our 
preparations, that we would sooner fight a little than quit our 
location, although very few that remained during the war were 
owners of land, many having settled oyer the boundary line, 
where the land did not come into market for several years after. 

" About the time that Fort Harrjson and Fort Wayne were 
besieged by the Indians, namely, the 4th of September, 1812, a 
marauding party of Indians, who passed north of our forts, fell 
on the unguarded and unsuspecting neighborhood of Pigeon 
Koost, killiog twenty three men, women and children, — mostly 
women and children. After robbing the houses they set fire to 
tliem, and stole horses to carry off their booty. About the samo 
time. Major Duvall, of Salem, with a small company of men, 
made a scout up White River, and it so happened that whilo 
they were passing over some fallen timber on Sand Creek, that 
they came in contact with the Indians on their return from 
the Pigeon Roost. Those of them who had horses threw off 
their large packs and made good their retreat. Two others who 
had no horses fled in another direction, pursued by the men. 
John Zink, one of the party, being young and athletic, outran 
his comrades, and when the Indians discovered that they were 
eeparated, they devised a plan to shoot Zink. In crossing a ra- 
vine, one Indian secreted himself, while the other showed him- 
self in plain view, within shooting distance. Zink stopped tO' 
ehoot, but the secreted Indian fired first, giving him a mortal 
wound. Zink lay in his gore that rainy night ; and was found 
by his companions next morning still alive, and brought to 
Ketcham's fort, where he was washed and comfortably clothed, 
and Dr. Lamb, of Salem, sent for. The Doctor arrived, drew a 
Bilk handkerchief through the wound, and started home. Zink 
died before they reached Valonia. The three large packs were 
opened, and found to consist of men, women and children's 
clothing. We knew then that some settlement has been de- 
stroyed, but at the time knew not what one. 

" About the last of September, 1812, Absalom Buskirk and 
brotherin law took a two. horse team to his field to get some corn 
and pumpkins. The Indians killed Buskirk and stole his two 
fine horses. The corpse was brought into Ketcham's fort, the 
same evening, and on the next morning, John Johnston, Robert 
Sturgeon and others came and hauled the corpse to Huff's fort 
for interment ; after which Sturgeon started home, and was 
killed at the Half mile branch, near Valonia. Although there 
were at Valonia a number of militia men, stationed, they were 
unwilling to risk their own scalps, and refused to go for the dead. 
After night the citizens, namely, Craigs, Rogers, Beems, &c. 
went with their dogs, and brought the corpse to the fort. 

" After the murder of Buskirk and Sturgeon, no other persons 
wero killed daring the Fall and Winter following, but many 



14 

alarms were given and horses stolen. I will insert a few cases. 

"One night Daniel Stout, who now lives near Blooinington, 
and others, wore at Ketcham's fort. After their sentinels were 
placed out in different directions round the fort, two heard and 
a third saw two Indians and fired at thenj, and then fled to the 
tort, expectinii^ next morning to tind a dead Indian, or a trail of' 
blood ; but a hard rain fell that night, and we found no Indiaa 
or blood. 

*' At another time, about corn gathering, Capt. Hirara Boone, 
with twelve or fifteen men, were at Ketcham's fort. They tied 
their horses to tstakes driven into the ground in the yard, not far 
from the fort. A large poplar stump stood rather between two 
of the houses, not more than five steps from either. In that 
etump holes were bored and hooks driven in, and four or five 
horses fastened to them. The night was clear, but the moon did 
not rise until after night. While it was yet dark the Indians 
opened the yard fence into the corn field, and let down one bar 
on another equare of the yard fence. The bars were within 
twelve or fifteen steps of the big stump. An Indian slipped 
through the bars, and got to the horses undiscovered, but while 
loosing his choice horse — a fine gelding, one ot the guard fired 
at him, but he clung to the horse. Another guard fired on him, 
but he led the horse off through the gap, into the corn field. By 
this time, Captain Boone and five or six of his men pursued the 
Indian having the horse. "While the chase was going on, 
Ketcham was standing in the yard giving some directions whea 
an Indian secreted near the bars, not more than twenty steps 
distant, fired at him. Boone halted and asked who had shot? 
I replied, an Indian. One of his men said, 'Captain let us tree.' 
He replied, 'We don't know on which side of the tree to get, we 
will return to the fort.' The party was composed of about six- 
teen Indians. We counted their trail next morning through a 
newly cut buckwheat patch, and at that time discovered what 
their policy had been. On each side of the gap opening into the 
corn tield there was placed a strong guard, also on each side of 
the bars; if an Indian had been closely pursued in either direc- 
tion the guaid would have shot down liis pursuers. 

"Although it was believed that the Indians were continually 
prowling about some of our forts the people got so hardened to 
danger that they seemed not to dread their enemy. One night 
Mr. llutcherson and family, together with some of the militia- 
men, concluded to stay at his house, a short distance from Huff's 
lort. They felt safe and happy, and having a fiddle, cocluded to 
have a dance, and enjoy themselves first rate; but in the morn- 
inn when they awoke they found that their horses were all gone- 
Wliile they were danciag, the Indians were catching their horses. 
Pursuit was made, and after following their trail a few miles they 
met David Sturgeon's old, ugly horse coming back with a leather 



15 

tag tied so lightly around hia throat that he could scarcely dr»l«^ 
his breath. They did this, probably, to show their contempt iot 
the whiteman's old ugly horse. They recovered no more iiorsesj 

"Long after that time the Indians stole two horses from Flinn's 
settlement. They were pursued by General Tipton, David and 
James Rogers, and others, who followed them for several days, 
when they found they were close on them, the water being 
muddy in their tracks. Tipton's plan was to follow them slowly 
and cautiously until night, then have fine sport tomahawking 

them. But his spies, Major Sparks and Mr. , disobeyed 

orders. The Indians had halted over the turn of a hill, dressing 

the horses' manes and tails. The Major and got withia 

thirty or forty steps of the Indians, before they discovered them. 
The temptation was too great ; they fired, but missed. When 
Tipton came up and saw what was done, he cried like a child, 
and was tempted to tomahawk the Major. Their provisiocfa 
were exhausted and they far from home. The rain had swelled 
the creeks until they were past fording; those who could swimt 
had to do so. They came to a large creek in the north end of 
Monroe county. A man by the name of Bean Blossodo, in 
attempting to swim the creek, came very near drowning, and 
Tipton named the creek Bean Blossom, after his name, and so it 
is called to this day. 

" At another time General Tipton and Captain Beam, with 
perhaps twenty men, made a scout to the West Fork of White 
Hiver. Before they got to the river, they crossed a beautiful 
stream that empties intc? Bean Blossom near its mouth. A mail 
by the name of Jack Storm, and another man named John 
Ketcham, in crossing the stream, got both of their horses mired 
and stuck fast in the mud. They then n£,med the creek Jack^a 
Defeat, and so it is called to this day. 

"No disturbance was made in the Winter of 18l2f. Perhaps 
the Indians thought they might be tracked in the snow. In 
March, 1813, they commenced again fiercer than ever. Thef 
made another descent on the Bigeon Roost country, killing old 
Mr. Huffman, wounding his wife and daughter, and taking his 
grandson, a small boy, son of Benjamin Huffman, prisoner. On 
their return they divided their cou)pauy. One party stole Reed's 
horses, the other party went eight or ten miles from Reed's and 
Btole Kimberlin's horses, and the same night made good their 
retreat. 

''After the war was over, Benjamin HuSman went lN''orth, 
perhaps to Detroit, in search of his lost eon. He heard that his 
Son had been sold to a Frenchman living in Canada. Huffman 
was poor ; his means exhausted, he returned home discouraged, 
despairing of ever seeing his child again. Our kind and beuev-' 
olent Representative in Congress, Jonathan Jennings, got aS 
appropriation made to enablo Huffman to seek further after his 



1^ 

ison. fle hired a man to go with hifla. They went down the St. 
Lawrence into Canada and found his Bon. The child was eo 
yonng when stolen, and had been gone so long, that he had for- 
gotten hia. father's name. He recollected that he was called 
Ben, bnt had forgotten the balance of the name. 

"In the spring of 1813, the PottawotamieS madb a descent on 
Flinn's settlement — now Leesville^ killed Mr. Guthrie and took 
Martin Flinn prisoner. He remained a prisoner With them until 
the Fall of 1814. At that time a young warrior crossed the 
Tippecanoe river in a splendid canoe, on a courting expedition^ 
and while enjoying himself with his beloved one, Flinn gathered 
hia ax, which they had utolen when they captured him, and a few 
ears of corn, and quietly stepped into the lover's canoe, not ask- 
ing any questions 'for conscience sake,' and with his beautiful 
paddle, rowed himself down stream all night. He secreted him. 
self in day time, and in this way spent several days and nights 
before he landed at Fort Harrison. When he lauded, he was 
unable to get out of the canoe. He was helped out and cared 
for, and in a few days considered himself able to travel home. 
The rangers then at the Fort, and others, made up a pony 
purse, and bought him a horse to ride home on. In a few days 
he was able to ride, and carried his lost ax home. Oh ! theOj 
the happy meeting of friends and relations. 

" About the middle of March, 18i3, John Eetcham and Geo. 
t)oom, a Milita man from Harrison County, then on duty, went 
on an errand to Joshna Lindsey's, — Liqdsey having during the 
winter of 1812 removed from Ketcham's foft to his fatm some 
miles above. On their return home they ^ Were waylaid and 
fired on by the Indians. Doom was killed, and Ketcham baldy 
wounded with two balls. When he reached the fort a messenger 
was sent to Yalonia for a reinforcement. About twenty men, 

nnder command of Lieutenant , proceeded to where Doom^e 

Corpse lay; after carrying it to Lindsey's, William Eeddick, John 
Samuel and Frederick Funk, were detailed to bury the dead, 
jand remained at Lindsey's till next morning. The scout pro- 
ceeded up the country for miles without making any diccovery 
of Indian signs, and returned home. The fatigue party having 
completed the burial, the sun yet an hour high, concluded that 
the Indians were all gone, and that they would return to the 
fort. They had proceeded about three hundred yards when the 
Indians, Ijing in ambush near their path, fired on them, and 
wounded l^eddick and Samuel, then retreated. 

" Shortly after this. General Tipton, Richard Beem, WilHatn 
Dyer and a number of Militia men from Harrison county, went 
on a scout up White River, some distance above Ketcham's fort. 
Btruck a fresh Indian trail. They eagerly and coutiously pursued 
the same, until they ascertained that the Indians had crossed 
over on drift timber into an island. Tipton stood ready with 



17 

Lis gnn presented, while Beem and others were crossing on the 
drifted logs. An Indian, who was secreted, raised his gnn to 
shoot Beem, bnt Tipton touched trigger first. The Indian tJjrew 
down his e;un — it cocked, and retreated badly wounded. He was 
supposed to be tlieir leader. Tipton and his men all crossed 
over into the island, ex-^ept Dyer, who had charge of Tipton's 
horse. Several shots were exchanged between the parties. The 
Whites got one scalp, and tracked several of the enemy by the 
blood to the water, where Ihey attempted to swim. Dyer being 
below the island had a fair view of the river. He saw a number 
bulge into the water with their blankets on. All sunk before 
they reached the opposite shore. It was believed that the whole 
party perished. This good licking caused the Redskins to treat 
us with more politeness. 

" In the spring of 1813, the General Government authorized 
the raising of four companies of mountkd Rangers, to protect the 
Territorial frontier. Captain Shoult-?, of Lawrenceburg, (I be- 
lieve,) raised a company ; Captain Williamson Dunn, of Madi- 
son, a company ; Captain James Bigger, of Charlestown, a com- 
pany, and Captain Andrew, of Vincennes, a company. Captain 
Bigger's company was principally made up of citizens of Clark 
county, ten or twelve of whom had been shut up in block bouses 
and forts in the Forks for more than a year, making nothing, 
concluded to join his company, and make a business of hunting 
Indians and guarding their own frontier, as in so doing they 
would get some pay for their services, otherwise they would not. 
The pay of a Ranger was a dollar a day, each man 'finding him- 
Belf ;' that is each man furnishing his own horse, arms, ammu- 
nition and provision, — every man his own commissary. 

'•The soldiers became much attached to each other during 
their service, and the kindest feeling towards each other seems 
ever to have existed between them all, except David Barnes and 
Samuel Ridgo, who often fought each other. They were too full 
ot spirits, — very spirited men sometimes. Others again did 
wrong because they had not spirit enough. Ensign Owen and 
Richard Lewis marred the good feelings of their comrades by 
desertion, on the Peoria campaign. It was said by Daniel 
AVilliams and others, as an apology for them, that they had 
caught the Kickadoo fever. 

"But fe'.y of Captain Bigger's company are now livina:. For 
the gratification of the tew survivois, I publish the 'Muster 
Roll," at whose call they so often answered. [See Muster Roll, 
on page 19.] 

" After General Tipton had handled our Red Brethren so 
roughly on Tipton's Island, (so called,) they were more cautious 
and sly towards us. No more of our neighbors were killed by 
them, but occasionally they would ride off a horse that was not 
their own. 



18 

" After the fonr companies of Rangers were organized, it was 
thonght best to carry the war into Egypt. / ArraDgements were 
made for a campaign against the Indians, composed of Rangers 
and a few volunteer Militia. Captains Dunn and Bigger, with 
part of their companies, and some of Captain's Payton's men, 
(of Kentucky,) together with General Bartholomew and volun- 
teer Militia, were assigned to that duty. They rendezvoused at 
Yalonia about the middle of June, then proceeded under the 
command of General Bartholomew to the upper towns on the 
West Fork of White River. The towns had mostly been de- 
stroyed before wa got there, probably by a company from 
White Water settlement. We then went down the river to 
towns not interrupted, and come to Strawtown late in the eve* 
ning, and discovered fresh Indian signs. / Early next morning, 
General Bartholomew, Captain Dunn an^ Captain Shields, and 
about twenty Rangers, went in purtuit of the Indians. "When 
we had proceeded about three-fourths of a mile we discovered 
three horses; we surrounded and secured them, — two were hob- 
bled. Following their back track, we came to their camp. 
General Bartholomew directed three mounted Rangers, namely, 

Severe Lewis, David Hays and , [that is John Ketcham,] 

to keep in the rear, but at the fire of the first gun to dash for- 
ward. Captain Dunn went on the right under cover of the river 
bank. Captain Shields on the left, and General Bartholomew 
brought np the center division. The directions were to surround 
their camp and take them prisoners. The Indians had a large 
brass kettle banging over the fire with three deer heads boiling, 
and were sitting near to the fire. Captain Shields slipped care- 
fully through the bushes, and when opposite the camp, at least 
one hundred yards distant, the Indians discovered us, jumped to 
their guns and fled. Shields fired his gun to notify the horse- 
men. One of Bigger's men, [to-wit, John Ketcham,] immedi- 
ately started in pursuit, ran two or three hundred yards, when 
he got into the path the Indians had run on ; he was within 
thirty steps of his game, and shot down the Indian. The other 
horsemen soon made np, but the other Indian was just out of 
eight. They were directed by [Ketcham] to where he was last 
seen. Hays got separated from the other two horsemen and 
unfortunately met with the secreted Indian, who gave him a 
mortal wound. The horses and brass kettle were sold to the 
highest bidder, on a credit, and the notes were given to Hays. 
His wounds were dressed by David Maxwell. He was car- 
ried on a horse-litter to the mouth of Flat Rock, now Columbus, 
where we made two canoes and sent him and a guard by water 
to Valonia, where his wife and family were. He died in two or 
three days after they reached the fort." 

This is the end of Mr. Ketcham's narrative of the Indian diffl- 



19 

cnlties. He closes hia account of his own public life in the fol- 
lowing quaint and characteristic style : 

" In June I enlisted in the United States service, a mounted 
Ranger. In my first month's service I killed and scalped an 
Indian — was very proud of it — got leave to go to Kentucky to 
show it to my Daddy and Mamma — I guess they thought I had 
done about right. I continued in the service two whole years — 
saw some hard limes — was eighty eight days from my family on 
one campaign, and lived seventeen days on seven days' rations. 

"Tiie war now being ended, Governor Harrison, hearing that 
I was a fellow of pluck and had killed an Indian, sent me a 
commission as Associate Judge. I never had much to do on the 
bench, but was 'Judge Ketcbam.' 

" In April, 1S18, I moved to Monroe county, and built a mill. 
"While mill-building wo ground our meal on a band-mill, there 
being no other but hand mills in the county. After Blooming- 
ton was located, I was solicited to build the Court House, which 
I did, thirty or forty years ago. It still stands firm. Because 1 
had l)uilt a good Court House, and had a sword and several pis- 
tols, the people thought I ought to be Colonel. I was so elected 
and served until I was forty live years old. But my honors did 
not stop here. .The people knew I had killed an Indian, and 
had decided three lawsuits in about forty minutes, — they said I 
must go to the Legislature. I agreed to it. My popularity not 
high anough yet, — my old friend. Dr. Foster, (God bless him,) 
who had done some service in defence of his country, knew I 
had been wounded by the Indians, and had killed and scalped an 
Indian, went to the Democratic Convention at Indianapolis, and 
told them what Ivetcham had done, and said he must be ap. 
pointed one of General Jackson's Electors. It was agreed to, 
and here I am yet, one of General Jackson's Electors." 

MUSTER ROLL, 

Of a Company of V. S. Mounted RangerSy Commanded b]/ 
Captain James Bigger. 

COMMISBSONED OFFICERS.. 

Captain, James Bigger; 3d Lieutenant, Wra. Meredith j 

let Lieutenant, John Carr ; Ensign, Jack Owens. 
2d Lieutenant, James Curry ; 

NON COMMISSIONED OFFICEES, 

Ist Sergt. John Ketcham ; Ist Corp. Basil Bowel ; 

2d Sergt. Josiah Williams; 2d Corp. William Patrick ; 
3d Sergt. Wm. E. L. Coltins ; 3d Corp. Samuel Herrod; 
4th Sergt. Jonathan Watkins ; 4th Corp. Robert Wardle; 
5th Sergt, John Herrod. 5th Corp. Andrew B. Holland ; 

6th Corp. Jonathan Gibbons. 



20 



Moses Allen, 
J.'^mes Allison, 
Martin Adams, 
George Armstrong, 
Lnther Beadle, 
Thomas Bernet, 
John Baldwin, 
John Blair, 
John Bartholomew, 
David Barnes, 
George Bratton, 
Michael Beam, 
John Cosner, 
John Cowen, 
James Cowen, 
Isaiah Cooper, 
James Collins, 
Tohn Cloak, 
fohn Clark, 
Isaac Clark, 
John K. Clark, 
John Craig, 
Stephen Duclap, 
Moses Dunlap, 
John Dunlap, 
Kobert Evans, 
John Evans, 
William N. Griffith, 
"William Gainer, 
John Gibson, 
John Gibson, 
James Hay, 
John D. Bay, 
William JHiler, 
Aaron Holeman, 
Phillip Hart, 
Isaac D. Huffman, 
James Herrod, 
Benjamin jS[oble, 
Lewis Hankins, 
Esram Hutchins, 
Kobert Jones, 
Jonathan Johnston, 
Lewis Ketchara, 
Abraham Kelly, 
William Kelly, 
Thomas F.^ Kelly, 
James S. Kellj, 



PRIVATES. 

Davis Kelly, 
William Lindsey, 
Richard Lewis, 
John May, 
John McNanght, 
John McNight, 
Harvey Owen, 
George W. Owen, 
Jeremiah Pierceall. 
Adam Peck, 
HenVy Pearcy, 
Robert Pearcy, 
Andrew Ferry, 
Charles F. Ross, 
George Ross, 
James Ross, 
Hngh Ross, 
John Reed, 
Thomas Ryan, 
James Rogers, 
Isaac Rogers, 
Lewis Rogers, 
Samuel Ridge, 
Thomas Rose, 
Stephen Shipman, 
William Stewart, 
Robert Swany, 
John Sa^e, 
George Uimer, 
Reece Williams, 
Daniel Williams, 
Thomas Weat lers, 
Martin Wilson, 
James Wilson. 

NEW KECKUIT3. 

Lewis Cutting, 
John Flint, 
Samuel Haslett, 

Jenkins, 

Levi Nugent, 
James Mooney, 
John Milton, 
Joseph Rawlins. 
David Stndabaker. 
John Storm, 
John Sands, 
James Sands, 
Elam Whitley, 



21 



MUSTER ROLL, 

Of Captain 'Williamson D ami's Company of V. S. Eangen 

COifMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

Captain Williamson Dunn; Lieutenant David Hillis ; 
Lieutenant Hnnry Brinton; Easiga Green B. Field. 
Lieutenant Henrj Ristine; 

NOX COMmSSIONED OFFICERS. 



Sero;eant John Thorn ; 
Serireant John Danolds ; 
Serjeant Joshua Wilkinson, 
Sergeant Ebenezer Uilils; 
Sergeant John Griffin. 



Corporal Joshna Depnty ; 
Corporal Joseph Strickland ; 
Corporal FeterRyker; 
Corporal Andrew J. Storm ; 
Corporal Matthew Cowlej ; 
Corporal Willis Law. 



Alexander Anderson, 
John Adkiflon, 
Robert Anderson, 
James Anderson, 
John Barns, 
WilUiam Blankenship, 
Maurice Baker, 
Isaiah Blankenship, 
David Bigoer, 
Henry Banta, 
John Bandy, 
Isaac Berlin, 
Kathan Chalfant, 
George Craig, 
Wiatt Coleman, 
John Colbert, 
Benjamin Combs, 
Isaac Crawfurd, 
Elijah Collier, 
Nathaniel Dunn, 
John Dunn, 
Andrew Davidson, 
William Dcikey, 
John Davis, 
Hannibal Doughertj, 
Thomas Davis, 
Charles Easton, 
William Farley, 
Samuel T, Cray, 
Henry Giles, 
George Gunu, 
John Guthrie, 



PKIVATES. 

William Gilmore, 
William Hamblen, 
Absalom liankins, 
William Johnston, 
Williamson Irwin, 
Thomas Jones, 
James Johnston, Jr. 
Samuel Long, 
Severe Lewis, 
James Lewis, 
Jacob Lewis, 
John Lee, 
Feter Metz, 
David H. Maxwell, 
James Monroe, 
James McCartney, 
J ernes McCollough, 
John Maxwell, 
James McKay, 
William McKay, 
George McKay, 
Robert McKay, 3d, 
Robert McKay, 4th, 
Thomas McConneli, 
John H. Newland, 
Brackett Owen, 
Moses Overton, 
David Fatten, 
John Feters, 
John Fnrcell, 
John Ristine, 
William Raesell, 



John Ramsev, 
Peter H. Roberts, 
William Renis, 
Gerard u8 Ryker, 
John G. Ryker, 
John Ryker, 
Jacob Stnnck, 



John Smith. 
James Stevens, 
Samuel Snodaraes, 
David Stucker, 
John Shank, 



Richie Smith, 
Isaac Short, 
Henry Salvers, 
Peter Storm, 
William D Stuart, 
Jacob Trumbo, 
James Ventioneer, 
Abraham Varvel, 
William Wright, 
Thomas Wise, 
Daniel Whitaker, 
Thomas Wendsaw. 



